This month Sony Ericsson launched its environmental warranty, and the concept of Sony Ericsson GreenHeart phones, two initiatives the company is taking to further its commitment to a sustainable future and continually reducing its impact on the environment. Here is more info on both the Environmental Warranty and the Sony Ericsson GreatHeart phone

Environmental warranty

The launch of Sony Ericsson's environmental warranty means that now, when any Sony Ericsson product is taken to a designated collection point, Sony Ericsson will recycle this product in an environmentally sound way. This warranty is valid globally, regardless of where the product was originally purchased, as Sony Ericsson strives to show its support for ?individual producer responsibility? (IPR).

This new initiative has now been initiated in India, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Singapore USA and Mexico. To date, more than 500 collection points are already in operation. Sony Ericsson intends to complete this rollout by 2009 in all the countries in which it operates. The company?s solely-owned collection points will be primarily made available in those countries where the current industry-standard system of phone recycling have been judged to be too limited.

GreenHeart phones

As a company that puts environmental sustainability at the heart of its product development, Sony Ericsson wanted to explore new ideas in this area through a concept design study.

The GreenHeart is a full concept with all life cycle in mind it includes features such as bio-plastic housings, recycled plastic keypads, zero charger with 3.5mW standby power, HTML based e-manuals, a game style educational application ?Ecomate? and environmentally conscious packaging.

The packaging:

This concept has been shared with a few selected partners in the industry, whose response has been extremely positive. Sony Ericsson will therefore take this concept and initiate a two-way conversation with customers on what features they believe should be implemented in future phones and in what priority.

Environmentally, all of Sony Ericsson products live up to the extremely high standards that are expected by the industry. Pursuing policies such as the global phase out of unwanted substances, and being a leader in charger performance, is included in all our current product offerings. This is also recognised by external organisations worldwide, with Greenpeace, for example, naming Sony Ericsson as the ?greenest electronics company? for 2008. With the GreenHeart? concept however, Sony Ericsson is looking to the future, to ensure the full life cycle of a mobile phone can be made more environmentally friendly. Once the technology reaches maturity, new techniques and materials will then be included in the portfolio and a market wide launch. One ?eco? product by itself will not make a difference but by learning through this concept study we are ensuring the entire portfolio in future will be more sustainable.

Sustainability

Sony Ericsson takes its role in creating a sustainable future very seriously. The company continually works to improve people?s lives by following best business practices, conserving resources and protecting the environment.

For Sony Ericsson, the approach to sustainability is based on the following principles:

* Safeguarding future profitability in an environmentally conscious world * Improving our influence on the living and working conditions of all those involved in the making of our products * Making a positive impact on those who use our products * Improving how our products and activities impact on the environment

Other areas that the company are committed to improve include:

* Supply chain social responsibility * CO2 emissions from transport and other activities * Reporting of impact on the environment * Projects to improve global social conditions in the developing world by improving communications * Community engagement where we operate * Employee empowerment and engagement